Folding perambulator or baby-carriage.



F. J. BBIER. FOLDING PERAMBULATOR 0R BABY CARRIAGE. APPLICATION rum)rmm, 1907.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented Sept. 17,1912.

F. J. BEIER.

FOLDING PERAMBULATOR 0R BABY CARRIAGE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.9, 1907.

1,038,829. Patented Sept. 17,1912.

4 sums-sum s.

COLUMBIA PLANOGIIAN! cm. WASHINGTON. B4 c F. J. BBIEB.

FOLDING PERAMBULATOR 0R BABY CARRIAGE.

APPLICATION TILED rmm, 1907.

1,038,829. Patented Sept.17,1912.

4 sums-41:31:11 4.

COLUMBIA PLANOGIPAPM CO..WASHINOTON, n C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK J'. BEIER, OF ELKI-IAR'I, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO ALWIN MANUFACTURINGCOMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A. CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

FOLDING PERAMBULATOR OR BABY-CARRIAGE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 17, 1912.

Application filed February 9, 1907. Serial No. 356,531.

vide an improved device of this character which may be compactly foldedand which will be light, simple and durable in construction, andetficient in operation. A further object is to provide an improvedadjustable back for the seat.

A further object is to provide an improved adjustable seat frame whichmay be adjusted into position by means of the handle; and improved meansfor locking the'frame and handle.

A further object is to provide an improved form of adjustable foot rest.

To the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new anduseful objects, as will appear, the invention con-' sists of thefeatures of novelty in the con struction, combination and arrangement ofthe several parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed and shownin the accompanying drawings illustrating an exemplification of theinvention, and of which Figure l is a side elevation of a device of thischaracter constructed in accordance with the principles of thisinvention. Fig. 2 is a top plan View of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a longitudinalsectional view on line 33 of Fig. 7. Fig. 4. is a sectional view on linei -4t of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of a sleeve orcollar forming a portion of the hinge for the supporting members and astop for the back supporting frame. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective viewof a portion of the back supporting frame. Fig. 7 is a sectional view online 7-7 of Fig. 3. Fig. 8 is a side elevation of Fig. 1 with the seatframe and handle in a folded position. Fig. 9 is an enlarged detailelevation partly in section of a portion of the frame and handle and thefoot rest or support. Fig. 10 is adetail top plan view of Fig. 9. Fig.11 is a perspective view of the fastening for one side of the foot restor support. Fig." 12 is a detail perspective View of the fastening forthe other side. Fig. 13 is a detail view partly in section, showing thefastening means for securing the frame and handle in their operativepositions. Fig. 14 is a rear elevation taken on line 14 -14: of Fig. 13.Fig. 15 is a detail sectional view on line 15-15 of Fig. 10. Fig. 16 isa perspective view of the adjustable sleeve or collar to which thesupports for the seat supporting frame are connected. Fig. 17 is adetail perspective view of the guides for the supports. Fig. 18 is adetail view of the latch or catch for locking the frame in its operativeposition.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the same reference numeralsdesignate similar parts throughout the several views.

In thls excmplification of invention the running gear or main supportingframe may be constructed of any suitable material and preferablycomprises parallel side bars 20, which are spaced from each other.Located intermediate the ends of these bars are braces 22 which arepreferably pivoted to the side bars 20 so that they may be moved abouttheir pivots to fold close against the frame.

A suitable bar 23 is located adjacent the forward extremities of theside bars and is form, is pivotally connected by its extremities to thefree ends of the side bars 20, preferably by means of a single rod orbolt 26 which passes through suitable apertures in the respective partsand extends transversely across the frame.

Suitable wheel forks, brackets or supports 27 which are connected formovement in unison by means of the brace or bar 21 may be journaled orpivoted to the side bars 20 at suitable points and in any desired mannerto permit the same, together with the wheels 28, to be folded-beneaththe frame, but the specific construction and mounting of these partsform no part of the present invention.

The seat supporting frame preferably comprises side bars 29, which arepivotally con- .nected to the front cross bar of the running fully setforth.

gear or supporting frame in any suitable manner, preferably by means ofhooked shaped plates or'members secured to the end of said bars orrods,the hooked-shaped portions of which engage suitable apertures 31,preferably located in the corner or angle.

pieces 24. These bars may be of any desired or, suitable constructionand the lower face of the free or' upper extremity of eachv is cut orchanneled out to form a clown wardly opening groove 32. 7

A suitable cover 33, such as metal or the like, is secured over andspaced from the open side of the groove'as at 34 to forma guide, for apurpose to 'be hereinafter more Surrounding the upper extremity of eachof the bars29 is an opensleeve or collar 34, which is provided withspaced, parallel, downwardly projecting ears or flanges" adjacent theopen portion and so arranged that the space between the ears or flangeswill form a continuation of the groove 32.

Passing through the depending portions or flanges 35 are pins or bolts363?, the former of which is located preferably at a point below thelower face of the bars29 and the latter is located preferably at a pointbetween the spaced portion 34 of the cover or plate 33 and the lowerface of the bar 29, and these pins or bolts serve as stops and supports,as will be more fully set forth. Any suitable means may be provided forsecuring the sleeve or collar. 34 in position,

bars 29 and is of such a length that the side arms will enter and. movewithin the groove or guide formed by the portion I 40 and within thegrooves 32 are transverse as b means of a ieldin member or sprin such asa screw 38 or the like. 'A cross bar 39, preferably U-shaped andcomprising side arms 40, extends across the free ends of the 34 of theplate or cover 33 and the groove 32. These side arms are preferably ofsuch a length that when the extremities thereof engage the inner endofthe groove 32, the cross bar 39 will preferably be spaced from theextremities of the bars 29. through the extremities of these side arm spins 41 and said pins are of such a length as to project forsomedistance beyond the sides ofthe arms 40. 'A suitable notch 42 isalso providedin the lower face of each of the arms 40 and said notchis'adapted to receive; the pinor belt 37 when the bars 40 have reached thelimit of their forward movement and saidnotch is held in contact withthe bolt 37 in any suitable manner such 43, ,oneend of which ispreferably inserted between the sleeve or collar 34 and I-t-heupper-{face of the bars 29, and is held in such position pr'eferablybymeans ofithe screw; orholt38 'which'holds the collarin yielding member43 is preferably curved or Passing V 54.55 and extend below the crossbar 49,

offset as at 44 toform an extended bearing surface, which rests uponthetop of the rods 40; If desired the extremity of the bars 29,

' beneath the sleeve or collar 34*, may be cut jectingextremities arepreferably provided with registering apertures 48. A bar 49isadapted toextend across the running gear or main supporting frame and above theside bars 20 thereof, with its extrenntles passing through theregistering apertures 48 in the sleevesor collars 46, the exten l sions47 of the sleeves or collars being of,

such a length that the pertion of the bar 49 between the extensions w llrest above the top of the respectivebar 20. I This bar49 may be held inposition and prevented from displacement in any suitable manner,preferably by means of a nut .50 engaging a suitable portion 51 adjacenttheoutside of the sleeves or collars 46 and the portion of said bar49between the extensions 47 is cylin-J drical in configuration and restslightly.

upon the tops of the bars 20 to prevent scratching or marring the saidbars 20 when the cross bar 49 is moved in a manner to 1 be set forth. 7r f Secured to the bar 49 and adjacent the sleeves or collars 46 is asupport or standard.

52, the upper extremities 53 of which are preferably bent at a rightangle to the body portion and said angularly disposed portion 53 isprovided with an aperture 54 adapted to register with a similar aperture55 in the gcross bar 49. Bars or' rods 56 are adapted to pass throughthe registering apertures and passing through the extremities belowEsa-id bar 49 are transverse pins 57 which gserve to preventdisplacement 7 thereof. ESimilar pins 58 pass'through the bars 56 at epcint below and adjacent the angularly disposedportion 53 of thesupportsor standiards 52.1 Suit-able yielding members 59,

ipreferab'ly in the form of coiled springs,"

surround the rods56 between the pin 58 and ithe top of the bar 49 andserve as a means ifor yieldingly: supp'crting said rods, Thefupper'extremities of'these bars 56,,are bent:

' positien, V The'forward extremity of this fat a right angle to'thelbody portion as at 60 and said extremities pass. loosely throughregistering apertures '61 in the sleevesor collars 34 Pivotallyconnected to-thehaiidle 25am by means of one endthereof, are bars 61,the I other ends of which are pivotally connected to the sleeves orcollars 46, preferably by means of the threaded portion 51 of the bar 49passing through suitable aperture in said extremity and is held inposition by means of the nut 50. With such an arrangement it will benoted that the seat frame is yieldingly supported by means of the rodsor bars 56 and that when the handle 25 is moved about its points ofpivotal support, the bars or rods 61 will move the sleeves or collars 46along the bars according to the direction of movement of the handle 25.As the sleeves or collars 46 are moved toward the forward end of therunning gear or main supporting frame, the supports or standards 52 willbe moved about their pivot formed by the engagement of the ends of thecross bar 49 with the sleeves or collars 46, which will cause the rods56 to move about their point of pivotal engagement with the sleeve orcollar 34*, lowering the free ends of the side bars 29, causing them tomove about their point of pivotal support with the corner or anglepieces 24. When the side bars 29 of the seat frame have reached thelimit of their folding movement, the handle 25 may be moved fartherforward about its pivot so as to rest upon the top of the supporting orrunning gear frame 20 and the side bars 29, as shown more clearly inFig. 8 of the drawing.

Any suitable means may be provided for holding the standards or supports52 and the bars 56 in an upright posit-ion and a suitable or efficientmeans for accomplishing this purpose preferably comprises a pair oflatches or catches 62, preferably located adjaoent the side bars 20, andare pivotally supported by the transverse bolt or rod 26. The forwardend of these latches or catches are preferably beveled or inclined as at63 and the lower face of each adjacent the forward or inclined port-ion63 are cut away or recessed as at 64 to form shoulders 6566, and areconnected to operate in unison in any desired manner, preferably bymeans of a transverse rod or bar 67. These catches or latches are ofsuch a length that when the supports or standards 52 are in theposition, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the recessed or cut away portions64 are adapted to pass over the portions of the cross bar 49 between theextremities 47 of the sleeves or collars 46, so that the shoulders 65-66will prevent a movement of the sleeves or collars. Suitable yieldingmembers 68, such as coiled springs or the like, are arranged to surroundthe cross bar or bolt 26 and engage the catches or latches 62 tonormally hold the forward extremities thereof into engagement with thecross bar 49.

A suitable treadle 69 may be connected to the connecting bar or rod 67and is pivotally supported by the cross bar or bolt 26 and' projectsslightly tothe rear thereof, so that when pressure is exerted upon theprojecting extremity of said treadle it will be moved about its point ofpivotal support to raise the connecting bar or rod 67 and the latches 62to permit the handle 25 to move the sleeves or collars 46 forwardly tofold the frame in the manner as already described. When pressure isreleased upon the extremity of the treadle, the latches or catches 62will assume their normal position through the medium of the yieldingmemlf GI'S or springs 68, as shown more clearly in en it is desired tounfold the seat frame, all that is necessary is to raise the free end ofthe handle 25 and bring the same back to its operative posit-iornasshown in Fig. 1. This operation will cause the bar 49 to engage thebeveled or inclined ends of the catches or latches 62 and raise themagainst the tension of the yielding members or springs 68 until the bar49 is in a position directly under the recessed or cut away portion 64,which will permit the yielding members or springs 68 to return thelatches to their normal position and lock the sleeves or collars 46 inoperative position, as shown in Fig. 1.

The seat 70 is preferably constructed of suitable flexible material,such as leather, canvas, duck or the like, and may be shaped in anydesired manner. This seat is secured to and supported by the framepreferably by means of suitable rods or bars 71, to

which the ends of the material is adapted to be secured in any suitablemanner. These rods or bars 71 are supported or secured to the bars 29preferably by means of a collar 72 to which one end of said bars 71 maybe secured. The other extremities of these bars 71 may be reduced as at72 and rest upon any suitable support between the flanges or dependingportions 35 of the sleeves or collars 34 preferably the angularlydisposed extremity 60 of the rods 56.

The back 73 of the seat may be formed integral therewith and the upperextremity is adapted to be adjustably secured to the cross bar 39between the arms 40 thereof. When it is desired to lower the back 73 tothe position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1to permit the occupant toassume a reclining positionthe arms 40 of the cross bar 39 are drawn outof the grooves 32 in the bars 29 (said cross bar 39 being first raisedagainst the tension of the yielding member or spring 43 to dis-engagethe notch 42 from the pin 37 until the pins 41 contact with the pin 37,which latter is arranged in the path of movement of said pin 41. In thisposition the bar 39 may be released, the pin 41 engaging the pin 37 toform a pivot for the arms 40 which will permit the latter to be lowereduntil they engage the with the seat portion and may be of any desiredconfiguration, and located within or secured to this rest is asuitableboard or member upon which the occupants feet may rest toprevent injury to the body portion of therest. The free end of the footrest is removably secured to the front cross bar 23 of the running gearframeby means of a suitable bar'76, which removably engages theextremity of the rest and projects beyond the edges thereof. Theprojecting extremities 7 7 of this rod 7 6 are preferably bent into anLshape. One of these extremities adjacent one side of the foot rest isadapted to be remo-vably inserted into 'a suitable socketor support 78and'the other extremity removably engages a suitable support 7 9 and isprevented from displacement by means of a suitable spring catch 80. Asimilar bar 81 may also be secured to the foot rest 7%, preferably at a'pointbelow the board or member 75. WVhen it'is desired to elevate thefoot rest to the position shown I in dotted lines in Fig. 9 to a pointto form an extension of the seat 70, so that the occupant may assume acomfortable reclining position, the bar 7 6 may be disengaged from itssupporting means and the bar 81 placed within the supports. The tensionof the spring catch is sufficient to prevent accidental displacement ofsaid bars but will yield under excess pressure to permit the bars to bereadily detached. 7

It is thought from the above description that the operation will beclear, but in order that the invention might be fully understood thedetails of an embodiment thereof have been thus specifically described.

What I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a running gearframe, a seat support, an adjustable backsupport telescoping with theseat frame, interengaging 7 means on said supports for locking thelatter in an adjusted position, and yielding means engaging one of thesupports for holding the last said means in engagement.

2. In a device of'the class described, the combination of a running gearframe, a seat support, an adjustable back support telescoping with theseat frame, inter-engaging means on said supports for locking the latter in anadjusted position, and a spring secured to one of the supportsand engaging the other support for holding the last said means inengagement.

' ipe i a an a device of the classdescribed, the

combination ofa running gear frame, a seat support, an adjustable backsupport telescoping with the' seat support, means for preventingdisengagement of the supports, said means forming a pivot for the backsupport when the latter is'in an adjusted position, and a rest forthe'last-said support in its adjusted position.

i. In a device of the class described, the combination of a running gearframe, a seat support, a back support telescoping with the seat support,means'for preventing disr I at an. engagement of the su 0 ts, s ll me sbe which said back support is adapted to be de-' fiected, meansfor'holding the back support in its deflected position, and 11183115011the said seat support for holdingthe back support in its adjustedposition.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of a running gearframe, a' seat support, a back support telescoping with the seatsupport, a lateral projection adjacent the telescoped' extremity of theback su'p port, means standing within the path of movement ofand'adaptedoto be engaged by the projection when the back support isadjusted, to form a pivot about which said back support is adapted. tobe deflected,

means for holding the back support in its deflected position, means onthe seat support adapted to engage the first said means for holding theback. support in its adjusted position, and yielding means for holdingthe last said parts in engagement.

7 In a device of the class described, the combination of a running gearframe provided with apertures in one end, a seat support provided withhooked shaped extremities adapted'to engage the apertures to form ahinge'for the support, and a pivoted brace for the free extremity'of theseat support.

8. In a device of the class described, the

combination of arunning gear frame containing spaced sidebars, a pivotedhandle, open sleeves surrounding the bars and proecting above the topsthereof, a member,

' the ends of which are pivotally connected to thesleeves above thesidebars, a hinged seat sup-port, yielding braces pivotally connected tosaid supportand operatively related to seat support, yielding b-racespivotally connected to said support and operatively related to theconnecting member, means for sliding said sleeves on the side bars tomove the braces about their pivots for raising and lowering the seatframe when the handle is connecting member for locking the seat frameand braces in position.

combination of a running gear frame including spaced side bars, a seatsupporting frame hinged to the first frame, clips mount-ed for slidingmovement on the bars, a flat connecting member pivot-ally engag ing theclips, an upright, the extremities of which are deflected to formparallel lateral projections, one of said projections being secured tothe connecting member, said pro 1 jections and connecting member beingprovided. with registering apertures, and a yielding brace passingthrough the register ing apertures, one end of said brace having pivotalconnection with the seat supporting frame.

11. In a device of the class described, the combination of a runninggear frame, containing spaced side bars, open sleeves surrounding saidbars, the sides of said sleeves projecting above the tops of the bars, aconnecting member having pivotal connection with the sleeves, a hingedseat support, yielding braces, pivoted by one end to the seat frame, theother ends being operatively related to the connecting member, means forsliding the sleeves on the side bars to raise and lower the seat framewhen the handle is operated, and latches adapted to engage theconnecting member between'the sides of the respective sleeves forlocking the support and braces in position.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination of a runninggear frame, con taining spaced side bars, open sleeves surrounding saidbars, the sides of said sleeves projecting above the tops of the bars, aconnecting member having pivotal connection with the sleeve, a hingedseat support, yielding braces, pivoted by one end to the seat frame, theother ends being operatively r lated to the connecting member, means forsliding the sleeves on the side bars to raise and lower the seat framewhen the handle ;is operated, latches adapted to engage the 1 connectingmember between the sides of the respective sleeves for locking thesupport and braces in position, a connection between the latches, and atreadle operatively rei lated to the last said connection forsimultaneously releasing the latches.

13. In a device of the class described, the

combination of a running gear frame, a

seat supporting frame mounted thereon, a

foot rest, a cross bar secured to the rest, the ends of said barprojecting beyond the sides :of the rest, supporting clips secured tothe running gear frame in which the ends of the bar are adapted to rest,and a yielding :member operatively related to one of the clips forholding the respective end of the bar in position,

operated and means adapted to engage the 14:- In a device of the classdescribed, the

3 combination of a running gear frame, a seat gsupporting frame mountedthereon, a foot 10. In a device of the class described, the

rest, a cross bar secured to the rest, the ends of said bar projectingbeyond the sides of the rest, open supporting clips secured to- .therunning gear frame in which the ends Eof the bar are adapted to rest, aspring secured to the frame adjacent one of the clips 1 and adapted toproject over the end of the .bar when in position to prevent accidentaldisplacement thereof.

15. In a device of the class described, the comblnation of a runninggear frame, a seat supporting frame mounted thereon, spaced clipssecured to the first said frame, a foot rest, and a bar secured to therest and projecting beyond the sides thereof, said projecting portionsbeing bent out of the plane of the body of the bar and the extremitiesthereof being laterally deflected, said laterally deflected portionsbeing adapted to be placed within the clips for supporting the rest, andin such a position that the said bent portions will stand adjacent theside of the respective clip to prevent longitudi- -nal displacement ofthe bar.

16. In a device of the class described, the combination of a runninggear frame, a frame hinged thereto, a seat supported by the last saidframe, a pivoted handle, means for moving the hinged frame about itspivot to adjust the seat when the handle is operated, a foot supportoperatively related to the seat, clips on the running gear frame, meanson the free end of the foot support adapted to removably engage theclips for adjustably securing the support in position, and yieldingmeans for preventing displacement of the last said means.

17. In a folding perambulator, the combination of a supportingstructure, a body structure thereon foldable with respect thereto, saidstructure embodying a back support longitudinally adjustable withrespect to and telescoping with the body structure, means embodying theyieldable ture forlocking the back support in its adelement for holdingthe support in its adjusted position, an extensible'flexible backsecured to the support, and means for preventing disengagement of thetelescoping members; j 18. In a folding perambulator, the combination ofa supporting structure, a seat frame supported thereby and foldable withrespect thereto, a back support longitudinally adjustable anddeflectable with respect to the seat frame, means for holding thebacksupport in its adjusted and deflected position and an extensibleflexible back secured to said support.

19. In a device of the class described, the combination of a runninggear frame, a folding body structure thereon and embodying anadjustableback support telescoping with the body structure,interengaging means on the said support and body strucbody structurethereon embodying aback support extensible with respect to the saidstructure, means for automatically locking the back support in itsadjusted position,

connection with the back support.

22. In a device of the class described, the combination of a runninggear frame, a i body structure thereon embodying an ad- 1 'justable backsupport telescoping with" the;

body structure, interengag ng'means' on the body structure and thesupport for locking the latter in an .adjustedposition, a spring securedto the body structure and engaging the said support for holding the lastsaid imeans in engagement, and means 7' onfthe back support cooperating'with the said, means on the body structure for revent-- 'lng accidentaldisengagement of the back i j support and body structure. 7

23. In a device of the class describedpthe combination of a running gearframe pro- !vided with apertures at one end,a body Estructure providedwith hook-shaped pori. tions adapted to engage the aperture to form iahinge for the body structure, and a brace for the free extremity of thebody structure, said brace having sliding engagement with ithe runninggear frame.

open sleeves surrounding the bars and 24. In a device of the classdescribed, the acombinationof a running gear frame coni'talning spacedside bars, a p voted handle,

jjecting above the tops thereof and slidable on the bars, meansconnecting-the sleeves ifor movement in unison, a foldable bodyistrucfture, yielding defiectable braces coninected with the bodystructure and {the sleevesgand means connecting the handle fwith thesleeves whereby the movement of the handle will slide the sleeves ontherunning gear frame.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in thepresence of 1' ;two subscribing witnesses, on this 24th day 20f JanuaryA. D. and a flexible back having an adjustable I 1907. V I r V FRANK J.BEIER.

Witnesses: I i i i z C. A. SEAWEIN,

" Gr. F. BELKNAR:

7 Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents veach, byaddressing the Commissioner-of Patents;

' Washingtbn, D. G.

